Does the Volvo 240 fail the MOT on noise, emissions and leaks more than it should?
The Volvo 240 records 8.42 noise, emissions and leaks failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 7.32 expected for a car of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+1.10, 95% interval +0.51 to +1.70). It ranks 132 of 678 models on noise, emissions and leaks (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on noise, emissions and leaks · check a Volvo 240 by registration
What exactly fails on noise, emissions and leaks?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Volvo 240 is “Emissions levels exceed default limits”, recorded 389 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Emissions levels exceed default limits | 389 | 4.24 |
| Emissions test unable to be completed | 102 | 1.11 |
| Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits | 77 | 0.84 |
| Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | 77 | 0.84 |
| Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users | 49 | 0.53 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 9,179 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Volvo 240 gets a noise, emissions and leaks advisory, how often does it fail next time?
7.6% of Volvo 240 MOTs with a noise, emissions and leaks advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 11.9 months and 959 miles later (941 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 941 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Volvo 240 in Norway · Volvo 240 in the Netherlands · Volvo 240 by postcode area · Volvo 240 body, chassis and structure failures · Volvo 240 brakes failures · Volvo 240 vehicle identification failures · Volvo 240 lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Volvo 240 seat belts and airbags failures · Volvo 240 steering failures · Volvo 240 suspension failures · Volvo 240 tyres failures · Volvo 240 visibility failures